tolasashi:
God help us all...if you are still below 24yrs and your folks hold small bar, i suggest you go do MSC or MBA...na wetin dey get work now be that. Coys can be so biased these days...truth is everyone who gets appropriate training upon employment can get the work done...they know this so they rather employ pple with plenty qualification for reasons best known to them.

Dont waste your time writing stories that touch...add more trophies to your CV as soon as possible (who BSC epp??) or go for fasting and prayer.

Was sitting in a bar with this dull guy then my friend told be he works in Nestle and am like "really?? this dull guy??" Then my friend replied "he has MBA in the UK and an ACCA CERT" i was like "oh!" Mind you I applied at Nestle a zillion times, not one single call but this dull guy......

apheyz:
Good morning the ‘’good people’’ of nairaland, this thread is actually directed to everybody who is anybody out there; job seekers, potential employers, gainfully employed folks/professionals( regardless of your field) , current serving and potential corp members, entrepreneurs- list is endless, in fact every nairalander; registered or unregistered. I will advise you all to brace up, this is gonna be a very long and bumpy ride.
Like indicated in my moniker, my name is Hafiz, I am 23 years old. Am I brilliant? Well, it takes more than ‘’just’’ a second class upper degree in electrical engineering from a reputable Federal university to be considered so – as I have recently come to find out.

The period of job search can be the most challenging and trying times for a young ‘’man’’ notice the quote on the man? Too much is expected from this strong gender – too bad I am still in that period and worst still, I am man. I have went through countless threads on NL where jobseekers complains bitterly about sending out countless CV’s and not getting invites; my story is not so different from theirs, however, I am going to comprehensively explain my effort so far and by so doing; I hope to get some answers and some HELP!!!

With a 2:1 in electrical engineering, I prepared my CV immediately I got my statement of result before going for NYSC. My hope of securing a job before the end of NYSC was at its pinnacle, I was 100% confident. Fast forward to 7 months into my service year, I registered and subscribed for job alerts on all the job sites I could lay my hands on. I sent my CV to all the mail addresses that required applications that matches my profile (note: I am smarter than to send a generic resume for all the applications, I always tailor each application to match the job descriptions and requirement without forgetting to compliment it with a sweet cover letter as body of the mail); too bad I only got very few responses, even for entry level and GT positions. It was not at all encouraging. Even if I dey toast plenty babes at random, some go still gree for me na.

I noticed that the only two reasonable invites I got were for vacancies which its application were via a recruitment portal ; where you have to enter your details and upload your resumes and relevant documents on the job portal. Those were for access bank and KPMG, I easily aced the aptitude test/essay of KPMG and got a shocking regret mail after the online psychometric test, I almost could not believe it; I mean I wrote the test with adequate knowledge of their mission, vision and core values - maka why?? Access bank was the most painful, I got to the final stage with the head of HR( all thanks to very many tips, lessons and experiences from ’’rationalmind’’ and wonderful preparations of my own) only to get a regret mail 3 days later , I thought I had the Job, God knows best. Anyways I understand better than to give up at this juncture.

On the other hand, I don’t recollect ever getting invites for any of the entry-level applications I had to send through mail. I sent; StanbicIBTC bank, UBA, GTBank, diamond bank, Deloitte, amongst others that I couldn’t quite remember. I am 100% sure that other people sent their applications to the same mails and got invited for test in all of these organizations; I know these because I follow the threads here on nairaland, though some of the applicants admitted that they submitted their CV’s through insiders. Funny thing is I am always very hopeful after I send these email applications, my age and class of degree is always in sync with the requirements, most times I get an automated acknowledgement mail reply – but to get the test/interview invites na wahala. So much that I am always skeptical about sending my applications to e-mail addresses no matter how legit they seem. Could it be my village people? Could it be that my CV is not good enough? I would appreciate an appraisal from anybody who is willing to help; let’s join hands together and see what is wrong with my resume!! I possess most if not all of the graduate trainee requirements of any reputable organization in Nigeria, local or multinational. All I ever wanted was a suitable entry level/GT position with an organization where I can grow with. I am always ready to take on challenges.

At the moment I am sure both GTB and UBA are recruiting (those are the ones I know, am sure other top companies are doing so codedly too). IF only I had someone who can submit my CV and get me an invite. I have always known nairalanders as nice people, I am pretty sure behind those funny monikers are great personalities; top level executives, talent acquisition team managers, seasoned experienced professionals, Important top-shots. All I ask for is a fighting chance. If y’all cant help me, well maybe God can, because I don’t think I know anybody else.

I am very keen on adding value to myself, during and briefly after my bachelor’s degree, I have worked as an intern with an industrial engineering firm, where I learned a lot about technical maintenance. . I worked as a business development officer during my service year. I am also good with computers, I basically repair my computer system myself any it develops issues, be it software or hardware related, I also have basic knowledge of networking; data communication and networks was one course I fell in love with as an undergraduate. While I wait to get invites for entry level from banks, oil&gas firms (who no like better thing.. hehe ) and other corporate organizations (note: I do not despise the idea of humble beginnings) , I am thinking of the next step to take, what should I do? Get a master’s degree in electrical engineering (telecommunications option) Get trained and certified on CCNA, CCNP(Pursue a career in Networking)

I am actually thinking of registering with a reputable training school in Lagos and start with a CCNA . I will appreciate an internship opportunity with an I.T firm so I can gain real life practical hands-on experience while I am getting myself certified. I don’t mind doing it for free; I don’t have much to offer yet anyways!!!! That’s just by the way…….
Abeg, Nairalanders, help me ooo .. I need this job invites o, now more than ever.. I am confused, I am pretty sure my CV is well structured, but then again what do I Know. I am sure an appraisal will come in handy. Abeg I no wan carry placard enter streets o … I am a graduate for Christ sakes!! But then again who graduate don epp… I am scared of outgrowing the age of entry-level opportunities, because that will push me into a whole new league. It’s now or never!!!

I have now adopted looking for a job as a full time job.

Biko, I can be contacted through a PM, I will be sure to reply with my phone number and email address. I am going to go ahead and quote a few people who I av actually at one point or the other gained from either their threads or their posts .
Cc
Anticent, lero15, nmreports, naijainfogalery, AjanleKoko, eipreel, rationalmind, MacMaster01, ednut1, Highmey, mikedimeji, MarshallMathers, therealadonye, adeaks, Valentinooo, Tbliz, taiwolusol, nitrogen, MissIndependent, adeaks, ksstroud, ajasa4link, Davide470, kunzo, nunogomez, Debbie, occ5050, amongst others

Let the meaningful and useful professional advises, roll in.

Randy91:

graduate of FUTO,right

Cutehector:
Look if u havnt applied for the ICT for change, u better act fast now!

hustla:


What's that bro

Phoenix11:
i feel like you spoke my mind.
am also a 2.1 engineering graduate who just finished nysc.
ive looked for job tirelessly but to no avail, my colleagues that have gotten even started telling me that no company wants a female engineer nd i better start looking for secretary or customer care jobs......i refuse to give up
I think the mistake you made which ive been making is goin for interviews without being adequately prepared forgetting that most of dis company wont let you apply again until after 2years.
So take your time to adequately prepare for you test especially online test.

Op, I my situation is almost similar to yours some 9years ago. I graduated from one of the best universities in the country with a BSc in engineering. In fact shortly before I graduated, I told my self I wasn't going to work for any company that is not into oil and gas. LOL. And then, the wait started, and I started downgrading and lowering my standards , till eventually I finally got a job (after almost 2years), that if I was offered as at my graduation, I'd have turned down arrogantly. But while I was working with the company, I knew I ought not be there working for that organization, I knew my goal was to get paid big time doing what I loved. So, I saved money, wrote GRE and TOEFL; and enrolled for a graduate program in the US (with full tuition). Today, the rest they say is history.


So here is the thing, I understand the economic situation in the country is very harsh, but you need to know exactly what you want to do with your life. You need to discover yourself first. Sometimes, it is during challenging times that we actually dig deep and learn a lot about our true character as individuals. Without knowing exactly what you want to do, you'd spend more money acquiring certifications; CCNA, CCNP, CCIE, all the professional courses and exams, and you will still not find the job that you truly love, or a job will pay your bills; because you are not a natural fit for a career in those areas. Mind you Cisco certifications are not the only exams that pay well in I.T. Linux certifications also pay, VMware certifications pay, SAP training and certifications pay, Oracle certifications pay etc. So if I.T is really what you want, read more about the various aspects of I.T see which one(s) will be a good fit for you.

Pray and ask God to direct your path in choosing a career for yourself.

PM me if you need directions as to where to start or have any questions

tolasashi:
God help us all...if you are still below 24yrs and your folks hold small bar, i suggest you go do MSC or MBA...na wetin dey get work now be that. Coys can be so biased these days...truth is everyone who gets appropriate training upon employment can get the work done...they know this so they rather employ pple with plenty qualification for reasons best known to them.

Dont waste your time writing stories that touch...add more trophies to your CV as soon as possible (who BSC epp??) or go for fasting and prayer.

Was sitting in a bar with this dull guy then my friend told be he works in Nestle and am like "really?? this dull guy??" Then my friend replied "he has MBA in the UK and an ACCA CERT" i was like "oh!" Mind you I applied at Nestle a zillion times, not one single call but this dull guy......

apheyz:


Futminna!

tolasashi:
God help us all...if you are still below 24yrs and your folks hold small bar, i suggest you go do MSC or MBA...na wetin dey get work now be that. Coys can be so biased these days...truth is everyone who gets appropriate training upon employment can get the work done...they know this so they rather employ pple with plenty qualification for reasons best known to them.

Dont waste your time writing stories that touch...add more trophies to your CV as soon as possible (who BSC epp??) or go for fasting and prayer.

Was sitting in a bar with this dull guy then my friend told be he works in Nestle and am like "really?? this dull guy??" Then my friend replied "he has MBA in the UK and an ACCA CERT" i was like "oh!" Mind you I applied at Nestle a zillion times, not one single call but this dull guy......

Randy91:

graduate of FUTO,right

Phoenix11:
i feel like you spoke my mind.
am also a 2.1 engineering graduate who just finished nysc.
ive looked for job tirelessly but to no avail, my colleagues that have gotten even started telling me that no company wants a female engineer nd i better start looking for secretary or customer care jobs......i refuse to give up
I think the mistake you made which ive been making is goin for interviews without being adequately prepared forgetting that most of dis company wont let you apply again until after 2years.
So take your time to adequately prepare for you test especially online test.

rychard:
I studied microbiology but if I list out my achievement ad work experience before nysc , if I talk about the volunteer awards I collect across Nigeria and Africa, if I mention say I fit design website, network, host am, programme and manage database, if I yarn say I fit speak two languages aside English, if i tell u say I be tailor too, and dey do small carpentry works. una go think say I dey brag. If I yarn say plenty Nigerian graduates can do way more than that, una go think say I dey raise fear. Bro no be by arranging cv and cover letter , the competition is tuff, if a 24yr MSc student show u him cv portfolio u go shock. So make I shut up . Go build skills, network and get achievements while u search.